Package for plastic commodities



April 20, 1954 c. w. VOGT 2,676,106

PACKAGE FOR PLASTIC COMMODITIES Filed June 2, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. CLARENCE w; VOGT WaJ-Z film ATTORNEY.

IIVVENTOR CLARENCE w. \IIOGT.

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April 20, 1954 c. w; voT

PACKAGE FOR PLASTIC COMMODITIES Filed June 2, 1950 Patented Apr. 20, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved package having properties which make it especially useful for plastic materials of a perishable nature which benefit from being protectively packaged to resist deformation or crushing and to prevent contamination.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a reinforced wrapped package having sulficient structural strength to Withstand normal abuse during handling and stacking of the packages when the contents are of a relatively soft deformable nature. By way of illustration, materials such as butter, margarine, lard, shortening, ice cream portions, frozen confections and the like which in warm weather or in warm climates tend to become soft, require a package having suficient structural strength so that the contents are not damaged and the packages are not deformed. If the packages cannot withstand normal handling their salability is reduced and reprocessing or repackaging of the contents is obviously wasteful and costly.

A further object is to provide a package suitable for plastic materials which may be sealed to provide protection for the contents until the contents are desired by the ultimate consumer, but which is designed to be readily openable.

Another object is to provide a wrapped and sealed package for plastic materials having a tendency to adhere to surfaces with which they come in contact, which may be readily opened for access to the contents, such as by peeling at least a portion of the wrapper therefrom to permit removal of some or all of the contents, without the necessity of contacting the product. This is not only advantageous from the standpoint of reducing possible contamination of the contents but the inconvenience of soiling the hands or making them greasy by contact with the product is also avoided.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a package having adequate structural strength to protect relatively soft and deformable commodities which may be simply and inexpensively made, and which may be readily applied to the commodity as a composite sheet material wrapper, with a sealed package produced by the addition of a suitable sealing element.

A further object is to provide a package especially advantageous for deformable commodities, which may have adequate structural strength and a sealed closure, but which may be opened to permit removal of a portion or all of the contents without disturbing or destroying the structural strength of the package. If only a portion of the contents are utilized, the balance may be further protected by the package until desired for use.

A still further object is to provide a package having reinforcing means and sealing means without interfering with normal display areas so that printed matter, advertising, art work and the like may be utilized thereon to enhance the appearance of the package and attract purchasers.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description. accompanied by the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred form of enwrapment used in making a package embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a completed package embodying the present invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the package shown in Fig. 2 to illustrate details thereof;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a manner of opening the package to gain access to the contents;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a completed package containing a plurality of at least partially wrapped or lined objects; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a slightly modified form of package containing triangular prismatic objects assembled to rectangm lar cross section.

In the packaging of relatively soft and deform-- able plastic materials and especially when such materials are subject to bacterial contamination, it is desirable to provide a package which affords adequate structural strength to withstand the abuse of handling during shipment and merchandising and which at the same time is sealed so that it is tamper-proof and not subject to contamination and thus will protect the contents from deterioration until opened by the consumer. In the production of scaled packages however. it is also necessary to consider how readily the packages may be opened, and particularly when such packages are sold for domestic consumption. To provide appeal to purchasers, such packages must be readily openable and without the use of special tools. Many plastic materials adhere to surfaces which they contact and are therefore enclosed in a flexible sheet material which does not adhere too strongly or maybe peeled from the product. When gripping and peeling the enwrapznent to remove it, if contact with the product can be obviated, it is beneficial from the standpoint of maintaining the sanitary condition of the product and avoiding soiling the hands of the opener or making them greasy.

The present invention provides a package which overcomes these difiiculties and yet can be readily and inexpensively made and sealed. The package combines characteristics presently o tained by a flexible inner wrapper and a more rigid outer carton, and accordingly does away with separate wrapping and cartoning operations. Then by the addition of an easily fabricated and readily applied sealing element a sealed tamper-proof package results, having features not obtained when packages are formed by wrapping and cartonin The enwrapment for a package embodying the present invention may be fabricated of any suitable sheet material or materials having .suificient flexibility to permit enfoldin the same to enclose the object or commodity. In the case of plastic materials such as butter, margarine, lard, j

shortening, ice cream the like, it is desirable that the sheet material afford a relatively impervious barrier against the transin through of moisture, grease, vapor, l1 and the like, which may adversely allies-t the composition or physical characteristics of the com modity or the looks of the package. With the above mentioned plastic mate-r1 s, it also desirable that the inner surface of the enwrapinent be or have properties similar to parchment paper. In addition to having relatively high wet-strength, parchment paper is grease resistant and does not adhere too strongly to such products. Some ad herence to the product may be beneficial to assist in retaining the enwraprnent in folded condition.

The exterior surface of the enwraprnent should have good printability so that th printed matter placed thereon will display the product to best advantage. To obtain a suitable combination of properties it is often preferred to use a multiple ply or co-n'lposite'sheet, especially when the enwraprnent is intended strength for the contents. The use of coatings to add or bring out the desired properties of the various plies is also highly beneficial. For example, the various plies may be laminated or bonded with a laminant which not only holds the piles together but also increases the impervious ness of the sheet material, or improves its folding characteristics, or adds to its ragidity, .or provides a scalable surface. Coatings on the interior surface of the sheet material which contact the contents may also be extremely beneficial. Many such coatings are non-toxic and can therefore be placed in contact with food products. They may also provide an appropriate adherence of the sheet material to the product, as well as increasing grease resistance, imperviousness to moisture, etc. On the exterior of the sheet material, the coatings a high gloss to enhance the appearance, or improve printability as well as contributing to rigidity and imperviousness.

In the drawingathe package is illustrated as modities may be packaged to advantage in accordance with the present invention. As will be described, an especially favorable construction of package may include more than a single object or commodity such as a plurality of rectangles to provide structural or triangles partially lined or wrapped. Further, each object included in the contents may be marked or defined into appropriate subdivisions.

Figure 1 illustrates a section of sheet material suitable for use in forming a wrapped package in accordance with the present invention. The numeral I indicates a ply of relatively flexible sheet material which is preferably dimensioned to correspond to the contents to be enclosed thereby. The ply or wrapper may be .erlned, by dash-dot lines 2, to provide a plurality of panels 3, l, 5 and 5, each of which corresponds to a side face or panel of the package to be formed. The lines 2 also define opposite inargr nal edge portion '5 and 8 which may provide flaps for a closureor seam when the sheetmaterial section is enfolded to tubular configuration about the periphery of the object or commodity.

Transversely of the dash-dot lines 2, the ends of panels or side faces inay be defined by dash lines 9 which also mark the inner extent of end fold portions Ill which extend beyond the end faces of the package when partially formed and maybe suitably folded against the end faces to close the packageat these faces. A desirable form of opening for the completed package may be provided by cut-scoring, perforating, or otherwise weakening along the lines 9 at the ends of the flaps l and 8 and th ends of the panel 6, will be further explained later.

Superposed with respect to the ply i is an additional ply orreinforcing element, indicated by the numeral H, which extends over and covers desired portion of the panels-of the package. In the form of the invention shown in the drawings, the ply I! is fabricated of a relatively rigid or semi-rigid sheet materialto reinforce the wrapped package and provide structural strength for the contents. To facilitate the formation or folding of the package it is'believed desirable that the ply it not extend for the-fullarea of the ply i. For example, the ply H is not coextensive with the end fold portions to of ply i with the result that the end folds are relatively flexible and can be more readily made and retained. If the end fold portions 10 of the wrapper are too thick or stiff, the resulting end'folds will tend to be bulky and may not stay folded. Also, bulky end folds may detract from the neatappearance of the completed package. 7

Similarly, Fig. 1 shows that the ply 5 i does not extend over the marginal edge portions and 8 which ar to form the longitudinally seam of the package. It has been found that adequate structural strength may be obtained by the use of a reinforcing ply which in the co.. pleted package has a U-shaped configuration extending about and covering orsubst antially covering threepanels of a package having a rectangular cross section. Accordingly, the ply it is illustrated as covering the panels 3, i and 5, which as will be seen may comprise the normal sides bottom faces of the package. a

The ply l l maybe suitably bonded to the ply l,

D such as by the use or an adhesive material posed between the surfaces of the plies to adhere them together. For purposesflof illustration, the ply Ii is shown as being coated on the surface adjacent th ply I with an adhesive material, indicated inFig. 5 by the numeral l2. An excellent ccating for this purpose may be a non-toxic substance having thermoplastic adhesive properties, such as a hot meltcoating of polyethylene, or a Wax, or a' resinous or lacquer type coatingi If desired, the juxtaposed surfaces of the plies l and I I may not be provided with an overall coating but may have a suitable adhesive pattern sufficient to bond the plies together. Also, the ply I I may be coated on both of its surfaces, but if fabricated of a material having an inner surface compatible with or suitable for contact with the contents, it is not necessary that the inner surface be coated.

While the drawings illustrate the reinforcing or relatively rigid ply II as being the inner ply of the wrapper to be disposed against the contents, it will be obvious that this more rigid ply may be located 50 that it forms the exterior layer of the composite wrapper. Further, to facilitate formation of the package, the composite sheet material wrapper may be provided with the desired pattern of score lines or creases located where the folds are to be made. When the ply I is of a relatively flexible material it is generally not necessary that it be pre-scored or creased, but it is generally desirable that the reinforcing ply I I, since it is of a more rigid nature, be provided with suitable fold lines. For example, the ply H may be pre-scored along desired parts of the lines 2 which define the side faces or panels of the package.

The composite wrapper may be completely fabricated by being laminated, scored, etc., at the time that the desired printed matter, art work, manufacturer's name and address, trademarks or the like are imprinted on the wrapper. It is also contemplated that the various plies of the wrapper may be individually prefabricated and then assembled or bonded together conjointly with being advanced to the location where the wrapper is to be associated with the contents and the package formed.

To produce the package, the composite wrapper may be suitably applied to the object or commodity and enfolded to tubular configuration thereabout. The opposite marginal edge portions i and 8 may be brought together at a suitable distance spaced inwardly from the opposite free edges of the section of sheet material, with such edge portions I and 8 juxtaposed to form a fin type seam, which may be suitably located at a desired point around the periphery of the object. If it is desired to provide a sealed longitudinal seam, these marginal edge portions or flaps l and 8 have an adhesive coating therebetween to permit them to be adhered together.

The fin type of scam is very advantageous when a heat-sealed seam is to be provided and the commodity to be packed is subject to being adversely affected by overheating. For example, the fin type seam may be formed with the marginal edge portions or flaps l and extending outwardly, from the object or commodity from a corner or side face thereof. It may be seen that heat may be applied to the juxtaposed marginal edge portions to seal the same together without adversely affecting or heating the contents of the package.

Figs. 3 and 5 illustrate marginal edge portions or flaps l and 3 as forming an unsealed seam extending along a corner edge of the object or commodity. To complete the wrapping, the outstanding fin type seam may then be folded against a side face of the package and the portions of the tion or flap 1 extends beyond the portion or flap 3, leaving a free edge portion of the uppermost flap I which may be readily gripped when open-. ing the package (see Figs. 3 and 5).

i To provide a sealed package, a sealing means or element may next be applied. When the seam formed by the flaps I and 8 is not sealed, it is preferable to provide a sealing closure for the end faces of the wrapped package and for the intermediate face on which the longitudinal seam is disposed. A very desirable form of sealing element comprises a strip of sheet material including a central portion I3 extending along and covering the face of the package on which the seam is disposed and end portions 64 which extend angularly with respect to the central portion and are folded against the end faces of the package. The interior surface of the central portion I3 and the end portions IA of the sealing strip may be provided with a partial or complete coating of a suitable adhesive material, indicated by the numeral I5 in Figs. 3 and 5 to adhere the sealing strip to the wrapped package and close the openings through the folds of the wrapper.

In the form of the invention shown, the wrapped package is disposed so that the longitudinal seam, formed by the portions I and 8, ap pears on the top face of the package. and the sealing strip is applied to cover the top and ends of the package. As may be seen, the wrapper may be applied about the periphery of the commodity and the fin seam, formed at the upper left hand corner of Fig. 5, folded against the top face of the package while a relatively thin folding element or blade is held on such top face. Since the element or blade may rest on the free edge of the reinforcing ply I l, a smooth neat fold may be made without undue pressure on the product. While it is believed that this is an advantageous arrangement, it will be obvious that the package may be designed or arranged so that the face on which the longitudinal seam is disposed may be a side or bottom face, and further the sealing strip may be applied so that the central portion l3 covers a side or bottom face of the package, not necessarily that on which the longitudinal seam is disposed.

The sealing strip is preferably provided with means to facilitate its complete or partial removal. When the package contains a single object or commodity, and is to be opened and the contents completely used, the edges of the end portions It may be unadhered to the wrapped package so that they may be gripped to peel and remove all of thesealing strip from the'package. If desired, the end portions of the sealing strip may be folded over onto the face of the package adjacent which they terminate, with an unadhered edge portion or tabs to permit gripping the sealingstrip.

It is believed especially beneficial, particularly when the package contains a plurality of objects, to design and arrange the sealing strip so that only a portion of it need be removed. In this way the package may be opened for partial removal of the contents retaining intact the structural strength of the package, and the unused portions of the contents be protected until they are desired. To illustrate, in the form of the invention shown, the central portion I3 of the sealingstrip may be removed, leaving the end portions M sealed to the end faces of the package. This will expose the panel of the package on which the seam formed by edge portions 1 andt is disposed and access to the contents can be had through this panel or face. It may be 7 noted that the reinforcing ply I I, covering panels 3, 4 and 5, and the sealed end portions of the package are left intact.

The removal of the central portion of the sealing strip may be accomplished by cut scoring or otherwise suitably weakening the common boundary line between the end portions Hi and the central portion 13 of the sealing strip. These common boundary lines are indicated by dashdot lines [6 in Fig. 2. To facilitate gripping the central portion of the sealing strip for sep aration and peelin from the package, suitable tabs or other forms of gripping elements may extend outwardly for a suitable distance from the edge of the sealing strip. lhis is exemplified by the tabs bearing the numeral I? in Fig. 2. Obviously, other means for accomplishing the separate removal of the central portion of the sealing strip may be utilized, such as tear cords or tapes positioned on the inside surface of the sealing strip at the line 16, with one or more end portions extending therefrom which may be pulled to sever the sealing strip along the lines it.

The sealing strip or element may be fabricated of the desired Weight of sheet material, dependent on the structural strength to be incorporated in the finished package. If a relatively soft com modity is to be packaged, the sealing strip may comprise a relatively rigid material such as tagboard or the like, and since it has a U-shaped or channel-shaped configuration and is adhered to the package, a great deal of structural strength is obtained. Further, if the sealin strip and the reinforcing ply l i are relatively rigid or semirigid, the finished package has a pair of U- shaped or channel-shaped members disposed about axes which extend at right angles to each other and cooperatively produce an especially strong package. When a relatively rigid material is used for the sealing strip it is obviously desirable to pre-score the strip so that it may be mor readily applied and folded about the contents of the package. If the package will derive adequate structural strength from the use of a reinforcing ply, the sealing strip may comprise a lighter less expensive material having only sufficient strength to permit peeling it without tearing. Bonding it to the wrapped package will provide an appreciable stifiening efiect.

The present packages may be designed and arranged to accommodate smaller units of a commodity or commodities, such as fractional pound amounts of butter, margarine, lard or shortening, individual portions or servings of ice cream, etc., and in this event, it may be desirable to combine a plurality of individual packages into a multiple unit or composite package. This may be readily done by providing a suitable connecting or chaining means extending between and detachably connecting together the desired number of individual packages. The sealing scrip may be fabricated as a multiple unit with individual sealing strips detachably connected together to permit ready removal or separationor" the desired number of individual packages therefrom. This feature is disclosed in my copending applications, Serial No. 144,088, filed February 14, 1950,110W abandoned, entitled Improved Commodity Package, Serial No. 155,401, died April 1e50, entitled, Improved Commodity Package, and Serial No. 161,590, filed May 12, 1950, entitled, Composite Commodity Package. When the sealing strip comprises a multiple unit for forming a composite package, the provision 8 of the tabs .or gripping portions ll will result in recesses or notches in the next adjacent sealing strip as indicated by the numeral il in Figs. 2 and 5.

If the longitudinal seam of the Wrapped package is sealed and the structural strength afforded by a U-shaped sealin strip is not required, the sealing means for the package may comprise a pair of strips or sections of sheet material extending along and adhered to the opposite end faces of each package to cover and seal the end fold portions only.

In opening the finished sealed package, shown in Fig. 2, the sealing strip is gripped and partially or completely peeled from the wrapped package. To facilitate its removal it is preferable that the adhesive I 5 be of a peelable nature. When the package contains a single object and it is desired to remove and use all of the contents, the sealing strip may be completely removed and the end fold portions it of the wrapper are exposed at the end faces of the package. These end, fold-s may then be unfolded to give access to the longitudinal seams. This action does not require the opener to contact the commodity. With the portions or the seam which have been folded against the end faces of the package freed om such end faces, edge portions 7 and 8 of the Wrapper may be gripped and peeled apart to gain access and removal of the contents. It may be noted that With the fin type scam the package may be opened and the contents removed without the necessity of contacting the product.

In the case of packaging greasy commodities such as for eXample, butter, margarine, lard or shortening, it is very desirable for a user to be able to obtain a desired amount of the commodity Without soiling the hands. Where the commodity is subject to spoilage, rancidity or the like due to bacterial contamination, this form oi package is highly desirable for decreasingcontamination. After removal of only a portion of the contents, th package may be reclosed by re-forniing the fin type seam, folding it against a face of the package and refolding the end fold portions. If the adhesive material I5 on the sealing strip has any remaining tackiness after being peeled the package, such as is true with pressuresensitive adhesives and some thermo-plastic adhesives, the sealing strip may be reapplied to reseal the remaining contents.

When the package is to contain two or more objects as is illustrated in Fig. 5, and the objects are of a material which adheres to surfaces with which it comes in contact, it is generally desirable to at least partially Wrap or line the sur: faces of the plurality of objects to facilitate separation from each other and removal from the package. objects disposed in the package shown in 5 are partially Wrapped in sections of suitable sheet material H? which cover the sides, bottoms and a portion or" the top of each of the objects. For ease of removal, the end portions of the sect 59 may terminate in turned back ed e portions 253 which permit gripping the object Without contact with the commodity. It is generally not necessary that the section 25 extend beyond the end faces of the objects to provide end fold portions but this may be done, ifdesired to prevent contact of the commodity with the interior surfaces, of the end folds of the package. It may be sufiicient if the sections. 26 extend for a rela- By way of illustration, the pair of.

tively short distance beyond the end faces of the object to at least partially separate such end faces from the ends of the package. The sections [9 may also be arranged so that they extend around the ends and bottom and a portion of the top of the object leaving the sides or a portion of the sides uncovered.

To gain access to one or more of the plurality of objects the central portion of the sealing strip may be removed as described, exposing the panel or face 6 on which the longitudinally extending seam is disposed. By gripping and lifting the uppermost flap l it may be separated from the end fold portions along the previously weakened or cut-score line indicated by the numeral 9 in Figs. 1 and 3. If the central portion of the sealing strip is removed by peeling it from right to left when viewing Figs. 3 and 5, the peeling of the sealing strip may accomplish the lifting of the flap '5 since the sealing strip is adhesively bonded thereto. After the flap i has been lifted, the flap 8 disposed therebeneath is exposed and may be lifted and torn along the weakened line completely across the edges of the panel 5. In

this condition the top face of the package is opened to the position shown in Fig. 4 exposing to view the turned back edges 20 of the sheet material sections I 9 which at least partially cover the top object in the package. portions 21}, the uppermost object may be lifted out of the package so that all or a portion thereof may be used. To facilitate the obtaining of.

desired measured amounts the object may have appropriate sub-divisions defined therein along a face or corner thereof or the sheet material section l9 may be ruled or marked so that appropriate subdivisions may be severed from the object. This is illustrated by dash lines 2!, shown on the section it in Fig. 4. If only a portion of the object is utilized, the remainder of the contents may be recovered by the section l9 and reinserted in the package. Since the reinforcing ply H extends about the sides and bottom faces of the package and the end fold portions and end portions M of the sealing strip have been left intact, the structural strength of the package has been retained. Panel 6 of the wrapper and the flaps l and 3 may be used to cover and protect the reinserted object by suitably refolding them.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 6 the reinforced package is similar in construction utilizing a flexible Wrapper I, having a reinforcing ply H, bonded thereto, folded about the periphery of the contents, with the flaps l and B forming a fin type seam folded against the top face of the package. End fold portions of the wrapper are suitably folded against the end faces of the package and a sealing strip, the central portion l3 of which is shown in Fig. 6, is adhered to the end and top faces of the package by an adhesive material I In this case, the contents of the package comprise two or more triangular objects at least partially enwrapped in sections 19' of a suitable sheet material. In the form illustrated,a pair of right triangular prismatic objects are assembled to provide a rectangular cross section. It is believed that a rectangular or square package may be more readily formed and has greater utility since it may be more easily stacked for display.

Gther variations in the package construction are contemplated, according to the contents to be enclosed and the type of package which is desired. For instance, while the enwrapment is By gripping the v shown and described as comprising two plies, more than two plies of sheet material may be utilized. Either the ply l or ll or the sealing strip may comprise a composite or laminated sheet material. The ply i or the sealing strip might have an outer metallic foil lamination to provide a decorative package. The ply ll may be laminated from a plurality of relatively thin sheets to produce a semi-rigid or relatively rigid reinforcing material, as greater stiffness may be obtained by properly laminating two thinner sheets than is obtained by a single sheet having a thickness equal to that of the two thinner sheets.

It may also be deemed advantageous to utilize an envrrapment having one or more plies fabricated from translucent or transparent sheet material so that the color of the contents may be seen through the package to identify the commodity or provide a pleasing color scheme which will be attractive to the purchaser. The ply i may be transparent and the ply ii opaque but provided with apertures, cutouts, or shortened to permit a show through of the product at desired locations along panels of the package. When the sealing strip is a transparent or translucent material, the opening flaps l and 8 may be seen and will add to the appearance of the package. If it is desired to produce a package with an exterior metallic foil surface, the ply H may be disposed on the exterior of the ply l and may be, or have an outer surface of, foil. Then if the sealing strip has an exterior foil covering, the resultant package will show all foil surfaces. However savings in the amount of foil required are appreciable, since metallic foil is a relatively expensive sheet material for packaging.

The laminant or adhesive used to bond the plies l and ii, making up the composite enwraprnent, may have the characteristic that its adhesion or bond is weakened or destroyed by time or by the action of a component of the commodity or object enclosed thereby. Then, if the inner ply is somewhat pervious to a component of the contents, the bonding of the plies may be weakened or destroyed by such component or by time, while the commodity is being stored or transported through merchandising channels to the ultimate consumer. This form of enwrapment may be desirable to facilitate separate removal of the stifier reinforcing ply and the more flexible ply from the contents. Such a combination may be used to advantage where the reinforcing ply is disposed on the exterior of the package and the inner ply is adherent to the commodity but is peelable therefrom due to its flexibility, as disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 149,672, filed March 15, 1950, and entitled Multiple Ply Commodity Package.

The drawings illustrate the end folds iii as being proportioned so that they extend from the edges of the end faces of the package and approximately meet at an intermediate point. With conventional wrapped packages, the end folds must be sufiiciently long to overlap and insure the closure of the wrapper at the end faces. In the present construction, since the sealing strip may cover and adhere to the end folds, it is not necessary that such end folds be completely closed. Where the sheet material of which the wrapper is fabricated may cause bulky end folds, the end fold portions may be shortened, and the sealing strip will produce a complete seale closure.

with respect to the edges of the wrapper.

An attractive; and extremely useful package maybe produced by the present invention. The display and merchandising appeal of the packe may be enhanced by disposing the printing and other art work in registry with respect to the panels or faces of the completed package. In present commercial forms of packages utilized for measured plastic masses and particularly those for the smaller units, registry of the printing is not successfully achieved. I have found that this may be readily done by printing the wrappers so that the printed matter is accurately registered with respect to the edges of each enwrapment section or pair of sections, and at thesame time, adhesive patterns, score lines or the like may be incorporated or imprinted on the sheet material, in registry with the printed matter and with the edges of each wrapper section, prior to the formation of the package. The sheet material may then be cut to a size corresponding to the commodity to be enwrapped and by forming the Wrappers along a registered score line, to provide an open receiving channel, a corner edge of the commodity may be deposited therein so that th object is accurately located In this way the printed matter etc., will be registered with respect to the object. This feature is disclosed in m copending application, Serial No. 139,845, filed January 21, 1950, now abandoned, and entitled, Enwrapments and Use of Same.

The sealing strip, if it extends along a face of the package may also provide an excellent display area for carrying desired advertising or other printed matter. Since the sealing strip is removable, it may be used to advantage as a label to provide desired information regarding the ingredients of the package, the manufacturers name and address, trade-marks, advertising, etc.

Although packages embodying the present invention are formed in a manner similar to a wrapped package, they provide structural strength and protection and may therefore be used with excellent results to enclose more than a single object or commodity. Two or mor appropriately formed objects may be assembled to provide a rectangular prismatic object for packaging. It may be desired to produce a shaped piece of a commodity such as lard, margarine, ice

cream, or the like, with a distinctive configuration such as a right triangular prismatic shape. A pair of complementary pieces of this nature may be Wrapped or partially wrapped to insure ready separation thereof and then may be packaged in accordance with th present invention.

For example, two different flavors of ice cream or other confection could be packaged together as a unit of sale. If the individually wrapped objects are provided with a fin type seam, it will be seen that the exterior package may be opened and the individual objects or pieces removed and access'to the contents had. without contacting the product.

It wilt be understood that in the drawings, proportions have been exaggerated in some instances to provide a greater understanding of the invention.

It will; be understood that the'foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the invention is for the purpose of explanation and illustration and numeroug variations and modifications other than those which have been described may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A protective package for relatively soft plastic material which comprises an object formed of such material in the shape of a rectangular prism, a flexible sheet material wrapper folded to tubular configuration about such object with end portions thereof forming a longitudinal seam along a first side face of the object and edge portions extending beyond end faces of the object and end folded against the end faces of the object, a relatively rigid reinforcing element of sheet material secured to the inside of said wrapper and folded to cover only three side faces other than the first side face of said object, a U-shaped sealing element, extending along and covering the ends and the first side face of said object, said U-shaped sealing element being formed with at least one tab to facilitate the tearing of the portions thereof, and releasable adhesive adhering said sealing element to the outside of said Wrapped package to seal the opening through said wrapper.

2. A protective package for relatively soft plastic materials which comprises an object formed of such material in the shape of a rectangular prism, a flexible sheet material wrapper folded to tubular configuration about said object with end portions thereof forming a longitudinal seam along a first side face of the object and edge portions extending beyond end faces of the object and end folded against the end faces of the object, said longitudinal seam being a fin-type seam to facilitate the opening of the side of the package, a relatively rigid reinforcing element of sheet material secured to the inside of said wrapper and folded to cover only three side faces other than the first side face of said object, a U-shaped sealing element extending along and covering the ends and the first side face of said object, said U-shaped sealing element being formed with at least one tab to facilitate the tearing of the portions thereof overlying the said first side, and releasable adhesive adhering said sealing element to the outside of said wrapped package to seal the openings through said wrapper.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A PROTECTIVE PACKAGE FOR RELATIVELY SOFT PLASTIC MATERIAL WHICH COMPRISES AN OBJECT FORMED OF SUCH MATERIAL IN THE SHAPE OF A RECTANGULAR PRISM, A FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL WRAPPER FOLDED TO TUBULAR CONFIGURATION ABOUT SUCH OBJECT WITH END PORTIONS THEREOF FORMING A LONGITUDINAL SEAM ALONG A FIRST SIDE FACE OF THE OBJECT AND EDGE PORTIONS EXTENDING BEYOND END FACES OF THE OBJECT AND END FOLDED AGAINST THE END FACES OF THE OBJECT, A RELATIVELY RIGID REINFORCING ELEMENT OF SHEET MATERIAL SECURED TO THE INSIDE OF SAID WRAPPER AND FOLDED TO COVER ONLY THREE SIDE FACES OTHER THAN THE FIRST SIDE FACE OF SAID OBJECT, A U-SHAPED SEALING ELEMENT EXTENDING ALONG AND COVERING THE ENDS AND THE FIRST SIDE FACE OF SAID OBJECT, SAID U-SHAPED SEALING ELEMENT BEING FORMED WITH AT LEAST ONE TAB TO FACILITATE THE TEARING OF THE PORTIONS THEREOF, AND RELEASABLE ADHESIVE ADHERING SAID SEALING ELEMENT TO THE OUTSIDE OF SAID WRAPPED PACKAGE TO SELL THE OPENING THROUGH SAID WRAPPER. 